New Julfa is the
Armenian quarter of
Isfahan, Iran, located along the south bank of the river
Zayandeh River. In 1606 it was established as an Armenian quarter by edict of
Shah Abbas I, the influential shah from the
Safavid dynasty. Over
150,
000 Armenians were moved there from
Julfa (also known as
Jugha or Djugha) in
Nakhichevan,
Azerbaijan.
Iranian accounts state that the Armenians came to
Persia fleeing the
Ottoman Empire's persecution (see this article on Iranian churches);
Armenian accounts state that the population was moved by force and their hometown destroyed (see Hin Jugha in Armeniapedia). All accounts agree that, as the residents of Julfa were famous for their skill with silk textiles,
Shah Abbas hoped that their settlement in
Isfahan would be beneficial to Persia.New Julfa is still an Armenian-populated area with an
Armenian school and at least twelve churches, including
Vank Cathedral, the
Church of
Bethlehem at
Nazar Avenue,
Saint Mary church at Julfa
Square and the
Yerevan church in the Yerevan area. Armenians in New Julfa observe
Iranian law with regard to clothing, but otherwise retain a distinct
Armenian language, identity and culture.
Popular with young people in
Esfahan, it is experiencing considerable growth compared to other districts. Vank Cathedral, also known as
The Church of the Saintly
Sisters, is the most visited cathedral in Isfahan, Iran.
Vank means "cathedral" in the Armenian language. Vank Cathedral was one of the first churches to be established in the city's
Jolfa district by Armenian immigrants settled by Shah Abbas I after the Ottoman War of 1603-1605. The varying fortunes and independence of this suburb across the Zayandeh River and its eclectic mix of
European missionaries, mercenaries and travelers can be traced almost chronologically in the cathedral's combination of building styles and contrasts in its external and internal architectural treatment.
Iraninfo.dk
- published: 02 Aug 2011
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